Means for mounting pickup fingers on draper conveyer



Jan. 20, 1959 c. J. scRANToN MEANs FOR MouNTING PICKUP FINGERS oN DRAPERcoNvEYER Filed Nov. 20. 1953 United States atent MEANS FOR MOUNTIYGPICKUP FINGERS ON DRAPER CONVEYER Charles J. Scranton, La Porte, Ind.,assignor to Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application November 20, 1953, Serial No. 393,276

3 Claims. (Cl. 198-198) The present invention relates generally to meansfor securing and supporting spring tooth members on an endless conveyerbelt of a windrow pickup device.

It is an object of this invention to provide securing means for springtooth members which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and whicheficiently secures a pickup toothed member to a slat o-f a conveyer beltand prevents the coil portions of the toothed member from wearing intothe belt but at the same. time permits free springing of the teeth Whenobstacles are encountered in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a coiled spring toothmember and means for mounting same on a slat of a conveyer belt andwherein the tooth member .and mounting means are readily combinable withthe slat and wherein a free flexure of the coil is provided.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for mountingpickup fingers on a draper conveyer and wherein such means support thecoil portions of a double tine, single wire pickup finger and whichmeans locates the pickup finger in exact desired position relative tothe Pig. l is a side elevation of the header of a combine harvesterembodying the invention with some parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan view similar to Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an' enlarged plan view of a portion of the pickup devicesimilar to that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line lV-IV of up device attached tothe forward end of a harvester header and includes upper and lower rolls1 and 2, respectively. Upper roll 1 is attached to shaft 3 for rotationtherewith, shaft 3 being journalled in sidewalls 4 and 6 of header '7. Apulley 8 is attached to one end of shaft 3 and this pulley is drivenfrom the harvesting mechanism by a V-belt 5. The pickup device alsoincludes a shaft 9 about which lower roll 2 is attached for rotationtherewith. A pair of transversely spaced side members 11 and 12 arerelatively rotatably connected at their upper ends to shaft 3 and attheir lower ends provide bearings for rotatably supporting shaft 9. Alsoconnected to the lower ends of side members 11 and 12 are shoe members13 which ride on the ground during normal operation of the pickupdevice. Counterbalancing means (not shown) can be provided whichsupports most of the weight of theforward or lower end of the pickupdevice thereby permitting the forward end of the pickup device to raiseand lower readily in following the contour of the ground beingtraversed.

An endless belt 14 encircles rolls 1 and 2 and is driven by frictionalcontact with roll 1. Belt 14 may be fabric, rubber or fabric impregnatedwith rubber 01' similar plastic material. In the embodiment shown belt14 is of canvas material impregnated with rubber. At longitudinallyspaced intervals on belt 14, transversely extending slats 16 whichextend the width of the belt are vulcanized thereto. As illustrated inthe drawings the slats are made of rubber vulcanized to belt 14,however, these slats can be made of any like plastic material, and eachslat 16 has curved transversely extending sides 17 (Figs. 4 and 5)feathering down to vulcanized attachment with belt 14 from theoutstanding or outer surface 18 extending generally parallel to belt 14.A channel member 19 is vulcanized to slat 16 with the fiange portions 21extending toward belt 14 but terminating in sp'aced relation thereto andwith the outer surface 20 of web 22 of channel 19 lying in the plane ofsurface 13. At transversely spaced intervals on web 22, holes 23 (Fig.5) are provided through which the shanks of bolts 24 extend. The headsof bolts 24 are no-nrotatably retained between flanges 21 of channel 19and the inner surface of web 22. The heads of bolts 24 are larger thanholes 23 thereby preventing the bolts from being pulled out of channel19 When tension is applied to the bolts.

Spring tooth members 25 are preferably made of one piece of spring Wirefabricated into a structure presenting two pickup fingers 2d and 27 withthese fingers extending tangentially from their respective ccil portions28 and 29 which are coaxial and are joined by a generally transverselyextending conne-cting portion 310. The connecting portion 32) forms thebight of a generally U-shaped midsection of the spring Wire structure25, and in the assembled condition of the parts, as shown in Figs. 3, 4and 5, said U-shaped midsection is disposed in parallel, contactingrelation to the fiat top surface of its associated slat member 16, andthe coiled Sections 2,8, 29 at the oppo-site ends, respectively, of theU-shaped midsection are disposed in spaced, confronting relation to thetrailing side surface 17 of the associated slat member.

A spring tooth member securing element 31 is utilized to fasten toothmembers 25 to channel 19. Element 31 is pro-vided with a body portion 32in the form of an elongated plate section which extends lengthwise ofthe associated slat member in overlying and contacting relation to theU-shaped midsection of the associated spring Wire structure 25. Oppositeend portions of the plate section 32 extend lengthwise of the slatmember 16 substantial distances, respectively, beyond the underlyingmidsection of the wire structure 25. Formed in the end portions of theplate section 32 are va pair of holes 33 (Fig. 3) transversely spacedapart a dista'nce substantially equal to the spacing between bolts 24and the spacing between lingers 26 and 27. These holes are of a size toreceive the shanks of bolts 24. Body portion 32 is provided at itsleading edge with a turned over portion 34 extending inwardly a dstanceslightly less than the diameter of the Wire used in fabricating toothmember 25. Between holes 33, body portion 32 is provided with adepressed central portion 36. This portion 36 is depressed a distanceslightly less than the diameter of the wire utilized in fabricatingtooth member 25. The leading edgeof portion 36 extends generallyparallel to turned over portion 34 and forms therewith a channel ortrough 37 (Fg. 4) adapted to straddle bight portion 30 of tooth member25. The leading edge of portion 36 is separated from turned over portion34 by a distance slightly greater than the Wire diameter of tooth member25. Body portion 32 is also provided with inwardly extendiug transverseend portions 35 ,(.Figa

3 and which extend from body portion 32 a distance slightly less thandiameter of the Wire utilized in 'fabricating tooth member 25. i

Body ,portion ,32 is `provided Wtihva longitudinally extendinglaggingportion 38 provided With a pairof oppositely transverselyextending arms 39 and 41 which have their vupper or outer vsurfacesarcuately configured substantially ,cornplernentary to and in radialload transmitting-engagement VWith .theinner surfaces of coils 28 and29,,respectively.

'Fonie-n33 is of a transverse width of small enough size and arms 39 and41 extend sufiiciently so that When securingelement llis detachedfrom`the-slat fspring tooth member can be mounted ontelement 31 byslidingtcoil 23 over arm 39' while coil 'Q-is slidine ad, to arm dl.This sliding'process is thencontinued 1 .coil 28 contacts lagging`portion '33, .at this ltime Vtoc member 235 is pivoted about coil 2duntil the ,open .portion of coil 29 is aligned ,with arm 41. Then member,is slid transversely in adirectic'n opposite to the original slidinguntil arms 39 and 41 are in coils 28 and 254, respectively. Toothmernberlf)= is then pivoted about the common axis of coils 28 and 29until connecting member 3d has been seated in trough 37. in other Words,the arms 39 and dl extend lengthwise of the slat member 16 in oppo-sitedirections from a midportion itof the plate section of the securingelement 3ll and afford sufli'cient axial clearance for the coiledSections 28 and 29 so that-upon separati'on of the fastening meansrepresented by bolts 24 and nuts 43, the arms 39 and 41 will be movableaxially into and outof the coiled Sections 28 and 29, respectively, byrelative back and forth movement of the Wire structure and securingelement 31 axially and transversely of said coiled Sections. After theWire structure 25 and se- `curing element 31 have been assernbled bypositioning of the arms 39 and 41 in the coiled Sections 28 and 29,respectively, the completed assembly may then be mounted on .slat M bypassing ho-les 33 over bolts 24. Lock washers 42 and nuts 43are thenengaged With bolts 24 and tightened down against securing element 31tbereby '121 elamping the U-shaped midsecticn of Wire structure 25 andturned over portions against the upper surface of web From the foregoingit is seen that spring tooth members 35 can readily `be attached to thepickup device and in f the event of breakage can be just as readilydetached by following the above steps in reverse.

lt is to be noted'that arms 3d and dl actas supports for coils 28 andV29', respectively, and permit a free flexure of the coils While at the'same time preventing'any destructive contact of the coils With belt 14or slats le. By supporting the coils away from contact With the belt orslat, wear between the coils and belt or slat iseliminated. And becausethe coils are free to fiex about the arcuate upper surfaces of the arms,an overstressing of the rigid fastening portion 3d between coils 28 and29 is eliminated the-reby reducing the amount of finger breakage.

itis to be noted that both end portions 35' of securing element .31 andspring tooth connecting member 3d are clamped against the outer websurface of channel member 19, thereby providing a rigid attachmentbetween membei' and channel member '19 but because Achannel member 19 isvulcanized to rubber slat lo there is an inherent amount of `flexibilitybetween spring tooth member 25 and belt :id which prolongs the usefullife of spring tooth members 25, belt 14 and slats 16.

i While it has ,previously been stated that turned over portions 3:7extend inwardly a distance slightly less than the Wire diameter ofspring tooth member 25, When nuts are tightened down on securing element31a slight deformation of 'element 31 occurs which results in portions35 contacting -web surface Ztl. As is shown in Pig. 5, turnedover=portions 35 are the only parts of securing element 31 `whichcomeinto contact With channel memberl9.

It is to be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention tothe particularfeatures and details described hereinabove and that theinvention is to be considered as including such other forms andmodifications as are fairly Within the scope of the appended claims.

lt is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In combination in a Windrow pickup device comprising a longtudinallyextending endless conveyer having transversely extending vslatsvulcanized `to 'the outer surface of said endless conveyer, and a springtooth membei' having a pair of transvcrsely spaced coaXial'coils-an'dtangentially extending fingers,'eachofsaidislats including a coextensivetransversely extending channel member having its legs imbedded in saidslat with the "outer'tweb surface thereof beingflush with the outersurface of said slat, a securing element for said tooth membercomprising a body portion provided With a pair of transversely spacedapart apertures positioned on opposite sides of a depressed centralportion, ,means passing through .'said apertures for attaching said bodyportion toisaid outer web surface, said central portion being depressed.an amount slightly less than the Wire diameter of saidtooth member,said body portion being provided With'atransvcrsely extending turnedover portion extending inwardly a distance slightly less than thewire'diameter of ;said tooth member, said turned over portionextendingpparallel to and in longitudinally spaced relation to saidcentral portion a distance substantially equal to said Wirediameter toprovide a transversely extending trough, Vsaid vdepressed portionincluding a longitudinally extending portion, a pair of transverselyextending arms on opposite sides .of said longitudinally extendingportion andreceived Within said coils'in supporting relation thereto,said coils being provided With a transversely extending connectingportion seated in said troughand clarnped by said retaining elementagainst said outeruweb surface With said coils supported on said arms inlongitudinallyspaced relation to said slat and in outwardly spacedrelation to said conveyer.

2. ln combination in a Windrow pickup device ;comprising alongitudinally extending endless conveyer,.trans,- versely extendingslats vulcanized to the outersurface-Iof said conveyer, and a springWire tooth member havingfa pair of spaced coaxial coils each having atangentially extcnding finger, each of said slats including a:substantially coextensive channel member having its legs-en1- bedded,in said slat With the outer Web 'surface ofissaid channel member' beingfiush with the outer'surface zof said slat, a securing element for saidtooth member-;comprising a body portion provided With ,a pair ofpertures therethrough transversely spaced apart a distance substantiallyequal to the spacing between'said fingersfacentral depressed portionvbetween said apertures, 'said channel member being provided Withoutwardly extcnding bolts transversely spaced apart the same distance assaid apertures and said bolts being of a size to be received intsaidapertures, fastening means coacting With ,said bolts and With saidsecuring element for attachingsaid'securing element to said slat, saidcentraLportion beingdepressed an amount slightly less than the Wire`diaineter of said tooth member, said body portion being provided With aleading transversely extending turned over portion extending inwardlyadistance slightly less than the Wire diameter of said tooth member, saidturned over portion `extending` parallel to and in longitudinally spacedrelation to theleading edge of Vsaid central portionva distancesubstantially equal to said .Wire diameter, to providea transversely`extending trough, said body portion being -pprovided on the transverseends thereof with inwardly-extending turned over portions extendingslightly .less than said Wire diameter, said depressed portion includingva lagging longitudinally extending portion, a pair of V:transverselyextending arms attached to oppositesides of said longitudinalportionadjacent the lagging endthereof, said arms being provided With arcuateouter surfaces received within said coils in supporting relationthereto, said coils being provided with a transversely extendingconnecting portion seated in said trough and clamped by said retainngelement against said outer Web surface with said coils supported on saidarcuate surfaces in spaced lagging relation to said slat and inoutwardly spaced relation to said conveyer, said transversely extendingturned over portions contacting said web portion when said fasteningmeans are tightened down on said retaining element.

3. In combination in a windrow pickup device comprising a longitudinallyextending endless conveyer, transversely extending slats vulcanized tothe outer surface of said conveyer, and a spring Wire tooth memberhaving a pair of spaced coaxial coils each having a tangentiallyextending finger, each of said slats including a substantiallycoextensive channel member having its legs embedded in said slat withthe outer web surface of said channel member being fiush with the outerweb surface of said conveyer, fastening members extendng outwardly fromsaid web surface and being spaced apart a distance sub' stantially equalto the spacng between said fingers, a securing element for said toothmember comprising a body portion provided with a pair of aperturestherethrough transversely spaced apart a distance equal to the spacngbetween said fastening members and being of a size to receive saidfastening members for attaching said element to said slat, said bodyportion including a central portion located between said apertures, saidcentral portion being depressed an amount slightly less than the wirediameter of said tooth member, said body portion being provided with aleading transversely extending turned over portion extending inwardly adistance slightly less than said Wire diameter, said turned over portionextending parallel to and in longitudinally spaced relation to theleading edge of said central portion a distance substantially equal tosaid wire diameter to provide a transversely extending trough, said bodyportion being provided on the transverse ends thereof with inwardlyextending turned over portions extending slightly less than said wirediameter,

said central portion including a lagging longitudinal portion of atransverse width less than the spacng between said coils, a pair oftransversely extending arms attached to opposite sides of saidlongitudinal portion adjacent the lagging end thereof and being spacedfrom said central portion by a distance at least equal to said wirediameter, the unattached ends of said arms being spaced apart a distanceslightly greater than the distance between said fingers, said arms beingprovided with arcuate outer surfaces received within said coils insupporting relation thereto, said coils being provided with atransversely extending connecting portion seated in said trough andclamped by said retaining element against said outer web surface withsaid coils supported on said arcuate surfaces in spaced lagging relationto said slat and in outwardly spaced relation to said conveyer, saidtransversely extending turned over portions contacting said web surfacewhen fastening means coacting with said fastening members are tighteneddown on said securing element, said tooth member and said securingelement being so configured and arranged that when said fastening meansare removed, said tooth member and securing element are removable fromsaid slat and said tooth member can then be removed from said securingelement by effecting a relative movement thereof about the axis of saidcoils and then etfecting a relative transverse movement thereof untilone of said coils is removed from its cooperating arm and by theneffecting a relative longitudinal displacement of said coil and theneffecting a reverse transverse relative movement until the other of saidcoils is removed from the other of said arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,779,720 Wood Oct. 28, 1930 2,305,044 Toews lDec. 15, 1942 2,351,144Oehler June 13, 1944 2,608,046 Best Aug. 26, 1952

